By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dramatically clinching the NBA championship, the New York Knicks overcame yet another late deficit in the NBA Finals 2026 to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, 94–90, at Frost Bank Center on Saturday.
In Game 5 of the best-of-seven championship series of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, the Knicks leaned on an unforgettable, heroic performance from Jalen Brunson to stage an improbable fourth-quarter comeback and secure the third title in team history and first since 1973.
Mike Brown’s squad fueled this surge with a crucial 15–2 run to pull ahead 88–85 with 1:59 remaining, as the Spurs missed nine of their ten shots in this stretch. The 29-year-old point guard exploded for 45 points, singlehandedly carrying the offense down the stretch and piercing through San Antonio’s suffocating defensive identity just as the Spurs seemed poised to extend their postseason life.
The Texas franchise had built its early momentum around European superstar Victor Wembanyama, who controlled the paint across 38 minutes of action. The 22-year-old French standout finished his 2025-26 journey with a double-double, contributing 19 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the field, including one triple, while tallying 14 rebounds, five blocks, and two assists. However, his efforts were ultimately eclipsed by Brunson’s relentless fourth-quarter tear.
New York’s continental talent provided physical support against a tough scheme coached by Mitch Johnson. Game 4 hero and British starter OG Anunoby found open looks difficult to come by, tallying 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and one block. Poland’s Jeremy Sochan and Germany’s Ariel Hukporti logged brief appearances on the court, with the latter producing one block, one assist, and one rebound, while France’s Pacome Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara went unused.
The trajectory of the contest initially favored the hosts. Following four rapid lead changes in the opening minutes, the Spurs established a commanding 16-point advantage during the second period. Though the visitors orchestrated several runs to cut into the deficit, they were unable to fully reclaim the upper hand until Brunson took over the final frame. It was a low-scoring, highly physical affair often defined by rim protection and disciplined execution, decided only in the closing moments by New York’s superstar guard.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-4 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114, 91-118, 103-111)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks 1-4 (95-105, 104-105, 115-111, 106-107, 90-94)
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